'Case closed' on Bersatu Youth election results

Bersatu election committee chairperson Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi is closing the chapter on doubts arising from the results of the Bersatu Youth polls.

“That chapter is over,” he said when asked to comment on questions raised about the results.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, this afternoon.

Last Wednesday (Oct 30), Bersatu Youth assistant secretary Muhammad Faiz Rahmad asked if personal agendas interfered with the outcome of the polls, following claims of irregularities.

He called for a review, questioning why the party’s election committee allowed objections to be made before announcing the results.

The issues he raised included the sudden disqualification of the Beaufort division and a spike in the number of delegates from the Kalabakan division.

That same day, Gombak Setia assemblyperson Hilman Idham won the Bersatu Youth chief position, defeating his challenger, former youth wing permanent chairperson Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir, getting 1,888 votes to Akmal’s 1,718.

However, Zahin was initially reported as the winner based on unofficial results.

Hilman is reportedly a staunch supporter of Azmin Ali, who leads one faction within the party. The other group is led by Hamzah Zainudin, who is now the party’s deputy president.

Moving forward

Also present at today’s press conference was Putrajaya MP Mohd Radzi Mohd Jidin, who won one of the three vice president positions.

Questioned if Bersatu’s new leadership can prevent division within the party, Radzi denied there were any factional disputes.

“There was never any division even before this,” he said.

He added that the focus now is to move forward, strengthen the party, and remain close to the hearts of the people.

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